David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

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  • 49 Week Challenge – Day 38: Wisdom that Guides Us to True Life

    49 Week Challenge – Day 38: Wisdom that Guides Us to True Life

    Click here for an audio version of this podcast I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Luke 11; Deuteronomy 26; 2 Chronicles 24; Proverbs 8; Jonah 3. Proverbs 8:1-11, 32-36 Does not wisdom call?     Does not understanding raise her voice? 2 On the heights beside the way,     at the crossroads she…

  • 49 Week Challenge – Day 37: Lessons from Solomon and Jesus on Forgiveness and Pride

    49 Week Challenge – Day 37: Lessons from Solomon and Jesus on Forgiveness and Pride

    Click here for an audio version of this podcast I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Matthew 12:22-50; 2 Chronicles 9; 1 Kings 10; Jonah 1; 2. Matthew 11:22-32 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so…

  • 49 Week Challenge – Day 36: Taking the Yoke of Jesus

    49 Week Challenge – Day 36: Taking the Yoke of Jesus

    Click here for an audio version of this podcast I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Matthew 11; 1 Chronicles 22; Isaiah 35; Jeremiah 6; Amos 1. Matthew 11:25-30 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from…

  • 49 Week Challenge – Day 34: The Nearby or Long Distance Reach of God’s Hand

    49 Week Challenge – Day 34: The Nearby or Long Distance Reach of God’s Hand

    Click here for an audio version of this podcast I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Matthew 8:1-11; Psalm 107; Jeremiah 30; Malachi 1. Matthew 8:1-11 When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if…

  • Today’s Psalms for June 8, 2025 – Pentecost Sunday

    Please pray these psalms with me on this Lord’s Day Today Christians around the world celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit “on all flesh,” moving people to ask, “What does this mean?” From that day on the mission of God began to play out in new and profound ways, so that the message of…

  • 49 Week Challenge – Day 33: Let Us Pray!

    49 Week Challenge – Day 33: Let Us Pray!

    Click here for an audio version of this podcast I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Matthew 7; 1 Chronicles 28; Ezekiel 22; 35. Matthew 7:1-14, [Jesus says,] “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure…

  • 49 Week Challenge – Day 32: Let Us Pray!

    49 Week Challenge – Day 32: Let Us Pray!

    Click here for an audio version of this podcast I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Matthew 6; 2 Kings 20; Job 38; Proverbs 23; Zechariah 7. Matthew 6:1-15 [Jesus says,] “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you…

  • 49 Week Challenge – Day 31: Away From the Altar

    49 Week Challenge – Day 31: Away From the Altar

    Click here for an audio version of this podcast I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Matthew 5; Numbers 30; 2 Samuel 4; 2 Chronicles 36; Job 25. Matthew 5:17-26 [Jesus says,] “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I…

  • 49 Week Challenge – Day 30: Spiritual Balance

    49 Week Challenge – Day 30: Spiritual Balance

    Click here for an audio version of this podcast I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Luke 6; Proverbs 21; Psalm 79; Isaiah 15; 16. Luke 6:12-19 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.…

  • 49 Week Challenge – Day 29: Seventy Years

    49 Week Challenge – Day 29: Seventy Years

    Click here for an audio version of this podcast I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Mark 3; Exodus 35; Jeremiah 52; Job 33. Jeremiah 52:1-11 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal…